In a recent interview with George Dionne of “KNAC.COM,” former Megadeth guitarist Chris Poland discussed his intentions regarding the thrash metal legends’ highly anticipated farewell tour. When asked if he plans to catch a show before the band calls it quits, he confirmed his desire to see his former bandmates one last time.
“Oh, I’m sure I will. If it’s the final one, I should go see one [show],” Poland shared. Despite his demanding daily schedule running numerous recording studios, he emphasized his commitment to making an appearance. “I’ll have to make the time. I run a couple of hundred studios during the day, and it’s a lot of work and it’s hard to get out. But I will. I’ll make time for Dave,” he added.
When the interviewer playfully suggested that the farewell trek might turn into an extended, years-long affair, the guitarist offered a different perspective on the frontman’s mindset. “I don’t know, though. I think Dave is ready. I think Dave‘s ready to go fishing.”
The conversation also shifted to the guitarist’s earliest memories of touring with Megadeth. He specifically recalled an intense, nerve-wracking gig at the iconic L’Amours venue in Brooklyn, New York.
“Oh my God. I remember my first time on stage, where I freaked out, was at L’Amours in New York. And luckily, I pulled it off. But I was freaking out ’cause they were playing the song ‘Am I Evil?‘ and the whole room was singing it and it was packed to the gills and the ceiling was sweating. And hat’s my first experience with a thrash metal crowd. And I’ll tell you, man, I was just blown away. But I got over it after a while,” he explained.
Looking back on his turbulent but highly creative era with the group, Chris Poland reflected on their survival and success. “We had our moments and we had our problems, but somehow we pulled it off. I think we all had guardian angels or something.”
Chris Poland served as the lead guitarist for Megadeth from 1984 to 1987. During his influential tenure, he performed on the band’s foundational early albums, Killing Is My Business… And Business Is Good! and Peace Sells… But Who’s Buying?. Years later, he reconnected with Dave Mustaine to contribute as a featured session soloist on the group’s 2004 studio album, The System Has Failed.
Currently announced dates for Megadeth‘s final tour:
North America (Part 1)
- Feb 15 – Victoria, BC @ Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre
- Feb 17 – Abbotsford, BC @ Rogers Forum
- Feb 18 – Kelowna, BC @ Prospera Place
- Feb 20 – Calgary, AB @ Scotiabank Saddledome
- Feb 21 – Edmonton, AB @ Rogers Place
- Feb 24 – Saskatoon, SK @ SaskTel Centre
- Feb 25 – Winnipeg, MB @ Canada Life Centre
- Feb 28 – London, ON @ Canada Life Place
- Mar 01 – Ottawa, ON @ Canadian Tire Centre
- Mar 03 – Halifax, NS @ Scotiabank Centre
- Mar 04 – Moncton, NB @ Avenir Centre
- Mar 06 – Québec City, QC @ Videotron Centre
Latin America
- Apr 23 – Lima, Peru @ Costa 21
- Apr 26 – Bogotá, Colombia @ Movistar Arena
- Apr 27 – Bogotá, Colombia @ Movistar Arena
- Apr 30 – Buenos Aires, Argentina @ Tecnópolis
- May 02 – São Paulo, Brazil @ Espaço Unimed
- May 04 – Santiago, Chile @ Movistar Arena
- May 05 – Santiago, Chile @ Movistar Arena
- May 08 – Monterrey, Mexico @ Arena Monterrey
- May 10 – Mexico City, Mexico @ Arena Ciudad de Mexico
- May 11 – Mexico City, Mexico @ Arena Ciudad de Mexico
- May 13 – Guadalajara, Mexico @ Arena Guadalajara
Europe & Asia
- May 25 – Valencia, Spain @ Roig Arena
- May 27 – A Coruña, Spain @ Coliseum
- May 29 – Bilbao, Spain @ Bizkaia Arena BEC!
- Jun 02 – Hanover, Germany @ Heinz von Heiden Arena
- Jun 06 – Maastricht, Netherlands @ South of Heaven
- Jun 07 – Gelsenkirchen, Germany @ Amphitheater
- Jun 10 – Hradec Králové, Czechia @ Rock For People
- Jun 11 – Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg @ Rockhal
- Jun 14 – Ferrara, Italy @ Ferrara Summer Festival
- Jun 15 – Zurich, Switzerland @ Halle 622
- Jun 16 – Vienna, Austria @ Gasometer
- Jun 18 – Dessel, Belgium @ Graspop Metal Meeting
- Jun 20 – Clisson, France @ Hellfest
- Jun 23 – Istanbul, Türkiye @ KüçükÇiftlik Park
- Jun 26 – Helsinki, Finland @ Tuska
- Jun 28 – Almaty, Kazakhstan @ Spartak Stadium
North America (Part 2)
- Aug 08 – Sturgis, SD @ Sturgis Buffalo Chip
- Aug 29 – Toronto, ON @ Scotiabank Arena
- Aug 30 – Toronto, ON @ Scotiabank Arena
- Sep 03 – Montréal, QC @ Parc Jean-Drapeau
- Sep 05 – Harrison, NJ @ Sports Illustrated Stadium
- Sep 06 – Harrison, NJ @ Sports Illustrated Stadium
- Sep 09 – Boston, MA @ TD Garden
- Sep 11 – Bristow, VA @ Jiffy Lube Live
- Sep 12 – Charlotte, NC @ PNC Music Pavilion
- Sep 15 – Hershey, PA @ Hersheypark Stadium
- Sep 19 – Shakopee, MN @ Mystic Lake Amphitheater
- Sep 22 – Tinley Park, IL @ Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre
- Sep 25 – Los Angeles, CA @ BMO Stadium
- Sep 26 – Los Angeles, CA @ BMO Stadium
- Sep 29 – San Antonio, TX @ Alamodome
